Select Sires

SELECTIONS - Fall 2002
JPI: A New Way Of
Ranking For Profitability

By Jeff Ziegler, sire analyst

The August sire summaries gave us the first glance at a new indexing system developed by The American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA). Breeders throughout the world have discussed the opportunity cost of increased culling levels due to changes in management schemes and genetic programs. The new Jersey Performance Index™ (JPI™) takes these needs into account by including Productive Life information as well as the newly developed Functional Udder Index (FUI), which weights the various udder traits with their genetic relationship in predicting second-lactation Somatic Cell Score (SCS).

These traits, combined with the previously used traits of Functional Trait Index (FTI), SCS, PTA Protein and PTA Fat, keep the index’s focus on commercial profitability. By combining these traits, the breed moves the production-to-fitness-traits ratio from 80:20 to 70:30. Yes, those sires with daughters that excel for production will continue to do well. However, those sires with daughters that produce well for additional lactations due to higher fitness levels will rank even higher.

What does this mean for the Select Sires program? Actually, it leans even closer to our philosophy of a balanced breeding program. Our Jersey bulls are developed with top-producing, long-living, trouble-free cattle as our optimum goal. We enjoy having some of the highest-ranking bulls of the breed. But, more importantly, we thrive on offering the highest-ranking customer-satisfaction bulls in the world.

7JE254 Mason Boomer Sooner BERRETTA, 7JE290 WF/L&M Duncan BARBER-ET, 7JE329 Sooner CENTURION-ET, 7JE356 Lester SAMBO and many more have shown that you don't need to be the No. 1 bull for PTI (or now JPI) to have a positive influence on breed improvement and customer profitability. The move of 7JE442 Rock Ella PARAMOUNT-ET from the No. 12 PTI to No. 6 JPI active-A.I. bull of the breed suggests that our top-seller will be in even greater demand with this new system. In fact, almost all Select Jersey sires moved up in rank for JPI with the similarities in breeding philosophies these two programs share.

Obviously we view JPI as a step in the right direction for Jersey breed improvement. The little brown cow has become an efficient, productive machine that fits today's milk market. This shift in genetic ranking toward increased emphasis on health and durability also will increase global demand for the top JPI bulls to sire the best Jersey cows everywhere.

Using high-JPI Select Sires will help you succeed in achieving your profitability goals.

™Jersey Performance Index and JPI are trademarks of the American Jersey Cattle Assoication

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